Author: Robert Galbraith
Genre: Mystery
Published on: June 24, 2014 by Mulholland Books
Private investigator Cormoran Strike returns in a new mystery from Robert Galbraith, author of the #1 international bestseller The Cuckoo's Calling.
When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, Mrs. Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days—as he has done before—and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.
But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realizes. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were to be published, it would ruin lives—meaning that there are a lot of people who might want him silenced.
When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any Strike has encountered before...
Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike mystery series continues in this second installment. The eponymous private investigator returns along with his sharp-witted assistant, Robin Ellacott. These books take place in modern-day London, England. Strike’s business is booming after solving a high-profile case in The Cuckoo’s Calling. He was almost broke, so the increase in clients is a big help.
Strike’s next huge case begins when a woman shows up at his office. She’s Leonora Quine, the wife of an eccentric novelist, Owen Quine. According to her, he’s been missing for ten days. Leonora mentions that Quine likes going missing every now and then. This time it’s been too long, so Leonora wants Strike to find out if something happened to Quine. Strike is at first reluctant to take the case. It’s not just trivial; Leonora expects Quine’s agent to pay Strike’s fee.
After the meeting, Strike and Robin begin investigating the new case. They’re surprised when the first two of Quine’s acquaintances they call seem eager to meet Strike. The detective learns that Quine was about to publish a highly controversial book. It was accidentally released by Quine’s agent, Elizabeth Tassel. The book, oddly titled Bombyx Mori, sounded utterly strange to me. It is perhaps the most bizarre novel I’ve ever heard of. Honestly, I find it hard to believe that this came from the mind of J.K. Rowling. In Bombyx Mori, Quine reveals what he really thinks about people he knows. These opinions are definitely not nice and border on libel. Some of the people featured in the book (all with fictitious names) are prominent. If the book got published, it would make Quine a ton of enemies.
While following a lead, Strike eventually finds Mr. Quine. Only, it’s absolutely not the way anyone expected. Quine was murdered in horrendous fashion and left in an abandoned house for someone to find. As far as crime scenes go, this one is freaking ghastly. Strike truly has a stomach of steel. After reading a copy of Bombyx Mori (sneakily obtained) Strike comes to a sudden realization. The book may have clues about Quine’s murder. One of these greatly narrows the list of suspects.
Robin takes a bigger investigative role in this case. She and Strike have become closer, almost like friends now. No, there’s no romance: Robin is about to marry her fiancée, Matthew Cunliffe. After The Cuckoo’s Calling, Strike hired Robin permanently. She does impressive work, far better than any regular secretary. It’s revealed that Robin has dreamed of becoming a detective since she was young. With Strike, she’s living her dream. Matthew doesn’t like that Robin works with Strike, though. He regrets that she gave up jobs that pay twice what she gets as a PI’s secretary. Matthew warms up a bit when Robin confesses her feelings about detective work. At one point it seemed Matthew was jealous of Strike. It turns out Robin loves not her boss, but his job.
The Silkworm also greatly improves over its predecessor in a certain way. The author shows Strike and Robin out doing fieldwork rather than having them tell about what they did after the fact. And through this fieldwork, Robin gets to show off her skills. She has some talents that come in very handy, especially at a certain point in the book. There are interviews in this book too, but they aren’t as tedious or pervasive. The Silkworm strikes a good balance between interviews and detective fieldwork.
I started this book with modest expectations. The Cuckoo’s Calling fell short of being awesome. I’m happy to say that The Silkworm is a big improvement. The characters have distinct personalities, and the mystery is expertly woven. The author reveals clues little by little, as Strike figures out more about the case. There weren’t any filler scenes either; they all have a purpose. Some readers are put off by the author’s highly detailed descriptions of London, though. I’ve never been to England, so I didn’t mind. Galbraith/Rowling definitely has a unique style, though. It’s sophisticated.
My rating: ★★★★
4 stars - Definitely enjoyed it!
No comments:
Post a Comment